March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, and MSAA has dedicated this year’s campaign to Improving Mental Health and Wellness. As part of the 2021 campaign, MSAA surveyed My MSAA Community members about their experiences with sleep, staying connected, diet and exercise, and self-care. Throughout the month, we will be posting results of the survey along with insights and tips from leading MS neurologists on each topic.
The second topic covered in the survey addressed: The Importance of Staying Connected. Of those who responded to the survey, nearly 70% reported feeling lonely or isolated during the past six months, with close to 30% reporting a high degree of prevalence ranging from often to always. Additionally, nearly 50% of respondents stated these feelings moderately to severely impacted their overall quality of life, with the majority also indicating they had not taken steps to combat these feelings.
Recognizing the significant impact the feelings of loneliness and isolation can have on one’s mental and physical health, MSAA asked MS expert Mitzi Joi Williams, MD to share her insights and helpful strategies on ways to stay connected. According to Dr. Williams, “Addressing these feelings is important because they are often associated with depression, which affects more than half of people living with MS. Depression symptoms can overlap with symptoms of MS including fatigue, sleep disturbance, and difficulty concentrating. Despite the fact the pandemic is still ongoing, there is hope and ways to re-establish connection during these unprecedented times.”
“My first suggestion is to Educate Yourself. The use of technology and the extra time at home have provided us with many unique opportunities to connect with others. Previous face-to-face educational events have been converted to numerous online webinars and other digital programs which are accessible from the comfort of one’s own home. These informational programs allow you to learn more about MS and can help better prepare you for upcoming doctor’s visits and developing or maintaining an effective treatment plan.”
“Another helpful way for you to lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation is for you to Find Your Tribe. It is a great time to explore online support groups through various social media and other digital platforms. You can also take the opportunity to reconnect with old friends that you may have been too busy to speak with on a regular basis. Try scheduling a regular virtual meet up with family or friends to help decrease isolation.”
“And finally, Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help. If your feelings are not improved with these measures, consider reaching out to your doctor to connect with a mental health professional who can help you navigate these unchartered waters so you can return to living your best life with MS as soon as possible!”
MSAA would like to thank Dr. Williams for sharing these helpful tips on this critically important topic. Please stay tuned for additional survey results and expert insights as we continue this series throughout March.
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